Teacher was in a class of her own

“I have lost my dear wife

GAVISILE FLORENCE MBOKOTA BORN: December 29 1967 DIED: June 26 2016 FUNERAL: July 7 2016 BURIAL: Giyani Cemetery

THE community of Giyani in Limpopo is mourning the death of Gavisile Mbokota, who was a highly respected educator and a senior member of the United Reformed Church in Giyani.

Her husband Jan Mbokota, from the Mbokota family of Botsoleni in Mhinga, described his wife as the pillar of his family as well as his business.

“I have lost my dear wife,” was all he said in a message to friends after she died.

Gavisile was born in Zola, Soweto, on December 29 1967, the first-born child of Samuel Hasani Risimati and his wife Nomaswazi Leena Hlatswayo.

She started her primary school education at Raluswielo Primary School in Makwarela township in Sibasa, near Thohoyandou, and completed it at Sukani Higher Primary in Giyani.

She started her high school education at Giyani High School but completed her Grade 12 at Risinga High in 1989.

After passing matric she got her teacher’s diploma in 1994.

She taught for a year at Rhida Primary School before going to Shingwedzi High School.

She later attained a further diploma in education from the University of Pretoria in 2002 before equipping herself with computer skills and received a basic computer skills certificate from Nkwangulatilo Education Centre in Giyani in 2007.

Gavisile had been a teacher at Mninginisi Primary School in Giyani from 1994 until her death.

She is survived by her husband Jan and four daughters – Xiluva, Lulama, Amukelani and Ntombizodwa.

A message from the Mbokota family described her as an affectionate woman who loved her family.

She was also respected in the United Reformed Church.

Gavisile will be buried in Giyani tomorrow.

The funeral service will be held at her house at 609 Giyani Section C at 6am. –